A community project empowering Chicago Youth to leave their legacy on the city and the world, championed by Virgil and facilitated by Nike. The project’s ambition was to challenge the status quo of retail, product, and community engagement driven by the prompt to “make the machine do something.” A modular and transformable space made of Nike Grind™ - unused and recycled shoe parts — along with recyclable or reusable materials. The space served as an evergreen community creation center with weekly programming led by local Chicago creatives within architecture, product design, photography and graphic identity; a flexible retail space with rotating product launches; and a recycling center (utilizing Nike’s shoe recycling program). The used shoes collected throughout the year-long pop up contributed to the 2020 All-Star Week Boys & Girls Club basketball court refurbishment and give-back programs within the Chicago area. 

‍

“A power plant of a different kind, engaging physical and cultural energy in a way that changes the community for the better through the environment of Sport.”

- Virgil Abloh

‍

‍

PROJECT FEATURES

Creative strategy, experiential design, interactive digital design, branding and identity, material research and development, custom fixture design and production, product donation and recycling, curriculum development and programming, artist and influencer collaborations.